While 2009 seemed like a somewhat dry year for me (in terms of games, that is), looking into the latter part of the year has me very excited. Since I only have an Xbox 360, I guess the monetary burden is slightly eased ... but not much. Here are my confirmed purchases in the upcoming months:

» Forza Motorsport 3
» Lost Planet 2
» Modern Warfare 2
» Assassins Creed 2

Although a seemingly small list, it's much more than I usually buy (hey, textbooks are expensive!) in that timeframe. Plus games like Mass Effect 2 and Splinter Cell:Conviction are likely purchases as well. That should keep my busy for quite some time!

What games are you planning on purchasing soon/in the upcoming months?

What I want in the next Microsoft console:

♦ 16-Core CPU (or two parallel 8-core CPUs)
♦ 4-Core GPU (4 GB dedicated VRAM)
♦ 8 GB DDR3 RAM
♦ 250 GB SSD (Solid State Drive)
♦ Option to download any game to HDD, with standard hard copy also available
♦ Seamless backwards compatibility with all Xbox 360 games, including those from XBLA
♦ 1080p standard output via HDMI 1.4 (the future HDMI...), although SD also available
♦ < $30/year online service with dedicated servers for all games (or optimized P2P architecture)
♦ Blu-Ray Disc Drive
♦ Built-in Wifi (N) + Bluetooth
♦ Super quiet fans
♦ 99.7% reliability rate
♦ Only 1 SKU option
♦ $600 launch price
♦ Identically designed controllers to Xbox 360, but built-in rechargeable batteries with ~75 hour life and 10 year life span (under normal usage)
♦ Upto 8 controllers connected at once
♦ Ability to have different colour LEDs for each controller (selected in preference menu)
♦ Standard wireless Bluetooth microphone with console
♦ Jet black and chrome finish for console
♦ Ability to record gameplay video straight to the HDD, or take screenshots (dedicated controller button)
♦ Use external flash drives as memory unit
♦ External media can be connected to stream content (music, video, and pictures)
♦ ♦ ...and a bunch of other awesome things


The ultimate console, agreed? Although a "little" farfeteched, I'd love nothing more than to see this available in the Fall of 2011. Comment what you want, or are expecting in Microsoft's next console.

I had a few moments to spare over the week, so I thought it'd be a good time to update my sig and banner (with similar styling). Hope everyone likes it (I know there's flaws, but I don't have that much time...). Notice the subtle glow changing colour? Comments welcome.

` Aaron89

PS - Because of the 50K restriction, the image is [sadly] a little blurry due to compression.

Arriving in perfect condition (looks like a brand-new console) three weeks later - my third Xbox 360 came knockin' on my door. What a pleasant treat for Valentine's Day  :D

Anyway, this is my 3rd console - so anything after this (God I hope it lasts) ... Microsoft will surely regret it.

Keep Gamin'

~ Aaron89 

Hmm... it's about time I write a new(er) blog, eh? Well, a lot has happened to me since the last one, but:

a) I'm too lazy to type it

and

b) I'm sure no reader cares :P

Well anyway, back on track.

Comment #1: I had a few hours the other day to sit down and update my personal website. It's something I slapped together in a few hours, and tweaked it over a week. Nothing 'schmancy,' but I like it.

In case anyone wants to visit, here's the link:

http://www.thelinkup.com/Aaron8903/Personal.html

And it's made mostly in Macromedia Flash 8, with a few elements from Photoshop and Illustrator.

Comment #2: I've been wanting to write an in-depth review for what is easily my favourite RPG of all-time, Oblivion [x360]. Unfortunately, I haven't - mostly because of the above 2 reasons. Oh well, c'est la vie...

Comment #3 (Broken Xbox 360 Update): So far, I've had no problems with the new console - thank God. Buying the 2 year warranty sure takes that stress off the shoulders when starting up the console and awaiting the beginning intro.

Comment #4: I want to take this last comment to wish all of the readers of this blog a belated Merry Christmas and a wonderful, prosperous New Year.

Take care for now,

` Aaron

Well, on Monday the 30th, I got back my Xbox 360 from Purolator. Such fast shipping (4 business days total)! :D

In total, I spent an extra $30 CAD by not buying the warranty... that's honestly not soo bad.

After a week or two of testing the system, I will be sure to purchase that 3-year warranty...!

Take care for now... (I gotta do my testing!)

~ Aaron89 

Well, I have sent off my Xbox 360 today (Tuesday, October 24th, 2006) and am patiently awaiting the arrival of the replacement.

Now... I write these blogs primarily for others. People that are curious to know the process of sending in a 360 without a purchased warranty (either through the retailer or MS).

So, first thing - How much did I pay?

I purchased the following things:
$500 insurance, medium sized postal box, and the Purolator "Express" package - all for $30. This is one-way, so I'm hoping the company (Teleplan International) will pay for the return postage, or I hope I don't have to shell out another $30 to send it back.

Secondly - How long will it take?

Well, this depends on a few factors, so I don't expect to get it by the end of the week (Friday). I'm aiming at next week Tuesday or Wednesday - and fingers crossed for Monday.

In final thought, it's the times like this when you feel regret, and in my situation, it's the regret of not buying the warranty. When I receive my new 360, I'm swooping that 3-year plan right up:D

'Til next post

~ Aaron89 

So here I stand, with a broken Xbox 360. August 3rd, 2006 - I was given the dreaded Three Red Lights of Death . Of course, at time of purchase, I figured nothing would happen to my 360 and buying a warranty would be wasteful.... boy was I wrong. Long story short, I prolonged my call to the MS Service Centre, because I wasn't able to hear the news of an extra $140 CAD going down the drain to fix an already expensive machine.

It took a few online adverts of Splinter Cell: Double Agent, and Gears of War to get me to pick up that phone, and dial. Being a student, I have limited funds.. and was prepared to beg for some sort of compensation.

To my surprise, the MS Agent that they would fix my 360 for FREE, yes ... free. I must've screamed for joy at that moment, but I don't remember. Though there's a catch, I still have to pay for the shipping, which might send me back another $30-$40. Despite that, it's much better outcome than I had originally planned. Buying my XBOX 360 in December 2005 gave me little hope that MS would do anything to fix it, since... it was my fault for not purchasing the warranty. Thankfully, I was wrong.:D

I have to ship it during the upcoming week, and hopefully, everything will work out fine..

And so everyone knows, they will not be fixing my 360, but merely exchanging it for a factory refurbished one. As long is it works, I'm happy.

Peace for now,

~ Aaron89

All I can say....is "wow."  The best single player of a FPS I've ever played.  Though this game was fun....it was also very tough.  By playing through the campaign on Regular first, it made the Veteran difficulty slightly easier, but not by very much.  Some missions were surprisingly easy, while others....well, let's just say luck was on my side ;-)  I strongly recommend that everyone who has this game to play the campaign on Veteran...it's a completely different experience from the other difficulties. 

Well, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and I'm sure you would/are proud of accomplishing this to. 

Peace out everyone...

After waiting for EB games to call me, I just gave up on thinking I'd have it before the holidays.  So, on the 16th (for Canada), I camped out at Best Buy for 3 hours in blistering winds and heavy snow.  It all payed off....I was #7 out of 33 consoles!  I brought it home, connected it, and am waiting to get my mom's email password for Xbox Live, then Ill play till I literally can't see.  Hope to see all of you on LIVE.